Torpedo level case



1 1952 D. E. UPDYKE TORPEDO LEVEL CASE 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed June 23, 1950 INVENTOR. 'DEA/V 5- UPDXKE D. E. UPDYKE I TORPEDO LEVEL CASE Aug. 19, 1952 2' SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed June 23, 1950 Patented Aug. 19, 1952 I UNITED STATES PATENT Q1JF1CE TOFIEDO Lnve'ncnsg} 1 f Apnlieationiunegt,195u, Se1-iaiN1 $i41 he; v I till-aims. (01.33;.20

l The present invention relates to a torpedo level case and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of. parts herein described and claimed. r

Generally there is provided a torpedo level case comprising an elongated body provided with a centrally disposed recess and having the unrecessed portions of its upper face provided with trackways in each ofwhich is 'slidably and iongitudinally mounted a locking plate. The recess is adapted to receive therein apocket sized spirit level particularly that type known as a torpedo level and/the plates, when moved inwardlm are adapted to hold such level within the recess so that the composite device may be utilized as a unit.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a device of the character set forth which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and yet effective and eflicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character set forth, of novel means for locking the spirit level therein.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in a device of the character set forth, of novel locking plate forming a part of the invention.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from a readin of the following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention showing a torpedo level mounted therein,

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of Figure 1 taken along line 33 of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 6,

Figure 6 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the device illustrated in Figures 1 and2 but showing the same in opened condition with the spirit level removed therefrom.

Figure 7 is a plan view of Figure 6,

Figure 8 is an isometric view of the device shown in Figures 6 and 7,

Figure 9 is an exploded isometric view of a locking plate forming a part of the invention, and

Figure 10 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of Figure-9. H

Referring more .pa'rticu awing's, there is shown therein" a level prising. van elongated wooden ,bloclr' ,IlIlfhavmg a centrally di's'posedrecess H providiidfwltha ndededges l2 formed therein. Eaciibf' fth tidal walls .13 forming the sides of the rec with a vertically .fexte 11g. rounded groove 15.

Itv will be seen that the .rec'es recessed portion, [5 of the blot end thereof and the 'uppe'rjs'ur unrecessed portionshaslnioiinted d cen, side thereof by means 01'' screws i-B-orthe like a stationary plate I! each of whose inner sides is te mi ie mainta n provided with a groove I8.

The opposed pairs of grooves it upon each of the unrecessed portions I5 together form a trackway for the reception of tongues l9 formed on opposite sides of a locking plate 20 which is provided at its outer end with an integrally formed T-shaped handle 2|. It will be noted that the stationary plates l1 do not extend fully to the outer edges of the unrecessed portions l5 i thus providing a space 22 at either side of the locking plate 20 for the reception of the handle 2| when the plate 20 is moved to its extreme inward position. v

The inner ends of each of the locking plates 20 are recessed on their outsides, as indicated at 23, and are each'centrally provided with a notch 24 in the outer edge thereof. A finger grip 25 is formed in the upper face of each of the locking plates 20 adjacent the handle 2| thereof.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings there is shown a pocket-sized spirit level known as a torpedo level having a body 30 of generally ovular shape when viewed from above and pro vided with a transverse opening 3| wherein is exposed a vertically extending bubble level 32 mounted in suitable manner within the body 38, a transverse opening 33 wherein is exposed a bubble level 34 which extends at an angle of 45 with reference to the upper surface of the body 30 and a transverse opening 35 wherein is exposed a bubble level 36 mounted in such body in parallel relation to the upper surface thereof. A longitudinally extending slot 31 is formed in the upper face of the body 30 in order that the bubble level 36 may be viewed therethrough.

In operation, it will be apparent that the 'torpedo level may be positioned within the recess II in the body l0 in such manner that the narrowed ends thereof are received in the vertical grooves I 4 after which the locking plates 20 may be moved inwardly by means or the handles 2| whereupon the outer portions of the upper side of the torpedo level may be trictionally engaged by the recessed portions 23 of the locking plates 20 whereby to securely lock the torpedo level as a unit with the case forming the present invention so that the same may be utilized as a comparatively larger leveland at the same time present a protective'means for the pocket-sized level against accidental breakage. The finger pieces 25 may be utilized to move the locking plates outwardly when it is desired to remove the pocket: sized level from the case. It will be understood that the locking plates 20 are held in their trackways and against the upper races of the unrecessed portions IS in close frictional engagement so that the same will remain in whatever position they are moved-and against accidental displacement from such positions.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein, it will be readilyjapparent to those skilled inxthe .art that many minor modifications maybe made without 'departing from the, spirit or 'the'finvention or the scope of the appended claims. j v. What is claimedisz 1. A device of the character described cornprising an elongated block having acentrally glis- 1 posed recess in its upper i'ace' an d'having. a;ve1'- tical groove in each walljofsaid recess a'trackway mounted upon the, upperiace of each of the unrecessed portions. and a longitu inally extending clamp member slidajbly mounted in each of said trackways and adapted to hold a pockettype spirit level in said recess, said clamp members each being provided with a handle at its outer end, and said handles being T-shaped and formed integrally with said clamp members.

2. A device of the character described comprising an elongated block having a centrally disposed recess in its upper face and having a vertical groove in each wall of said recess, a trackway mounted upon the upper face of each of the unrecessed portions, and a longitudinally extending clamp member slidably mounted in each of said trackways and adapted to hold a pocket-type spirit level in said recess, said clamp members each being provided with a handle at its outer end, and each having its inner end recessed on the underside thereof, and a fingerreceiving recess in the upper face of each of said clamp members adjacent the handle thereof.

DEAN E. UPDYKE.

REFERENCES ClTED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date Glenn L May 12, 1942 

